Where to go for snorkeling?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When’s the best time to go to Roaton?

I'd say Nov-April

[Anonymous]

Hawaii? You can definitely snorkel from shore.

I have not been but perhaps you could explore the Virgin Islands (for a shorter flight).

[Anonymous]

I’m the OP. Thanks for all the suggestions. I feel like I have a starting point for research now.

To the person who asked why snorkeling from a beach - I have 2 reasons. I don’t particularly like boats and the kids are new to this. On the beach, they can go dig in the sand if snorkeling isn’t working for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hawaii? You can definitely snorkel from shore.

I have not been but perhaps you could explore the Virgin Islands (for a shorter flight).

Kids that age are not going to transition well to a 6 hr time change. Keep it simple, OP. No more than a one hour time difference, and definitely keep it to walk-in sites. Realistically, kids that age can struggle with the snorkle breathing. They would not be safe or comfortable in open water snorkling.

For the kids, I'd suggest Discovery Cove for a day in FL and then SeaWorld + Blizzard Beach. For the adults, you'd probably prefer something like St John.

The furst rule for me when planning a trip with kids is to be very honest about everyone's limitations. I'd rather be more conservative in estimating what the kids can handle than be too aggressive about what they can handle. If the kids are unhappy, then my time is ruined and I'll be irritated about spending so much money on a trip that failed. IMO, it's better for the kids to be happy, even if it isn't my ideal vacation plan. Know your kids and thier limits.

[Anonymous]

FIRST rule for me...

[Anonymous]

Grand Cayman. We just went and snorkeled right off the beach on 7 mile beach. It was awesome. The water is very clear and we saw so much - turtles, sting rays, puffers, lobsters, tangs, angels, squid, lions, cow fish, flounder. Really great snorkeling.

[Anonymous]

Public service announcement: snorkeling can be dangerous for those with heart conditions (little known fact)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hawaii? You can definitely snorkel from shore.

I have not been but perhaps you could explore the Virgin Islands (for a shorter flight).

Kids that age are not going to transition well to a 6 hr time change. Keep it simple, OP. No more than a one hour time difference, and definitely keep it to walk-in sites. Realistically, kids that age can struggle with the snorkle breathing. They would not be safe or comfortable in open water snorkling.

For the kids, I'd suggest Discovery Cove for a day in FL and then SeaWorld + Blizzard Beach. For the adults, you'd probably prefer something like St John.

The furst rule for me when planning a trip with kids is to be very honest about everyone's limitations. I'd rather be more conservative in estimating what the kids can handle than be too aggressive about what they can handle. If the kids are unhappy, then my time is ruined and I'll be irritated about spending so much money on a trip that failed. IMO, it's better for the kids to be happy, even if it isn't my ideal vacation plan. Know your kids and thier limits.

I feel like I missed the ages of the kids, but provided they like beaches and can handle the travel (always feels a bit like trains, planes and automobiles to get there) I think St. John would be great. So many cute little beaches even if they aren't super into snorkeling, and the Trunk Bay snorkel trail is so easy. And as someone else said, you occasionally see turtles at Maho.

[Anonymous]

St John

[Anonymous]

A different idea since it is new for your kids is Discovery Cove in Orlando. The snorkeling is fantastic and can’t get easier. The flights are easy and you can do anything else you choose in Orlando.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Public service announcement: snorkeling can be dangerous for those with heart conditions (little known fact)

Why would it be any more dangerous than swimming if you are just floating at the surface and able to breath normally?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A different idea since it is new for your kids is Discovery Cove in Orlando. The snorkeling is fantastic and can’t get easier. The flights are easy and you can do anything else you choose in Orlando.

I already mentioned this about 3 posts earlier...but I'm glad you put in a vote for this as well. Start in a less pressured situation , see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

Not sure how old your kids are, but when my DS was 7 he loved snorkeling in Anna Maria island + Lido key + Caspersen Beach in Venice, FL. I didn’t snorkel and have no idea what all he saw, but we were surrounded by huge schools of fish and very large manta rays. Some sort of larger fish (or shark?) would bump periodically into my legs. We’d see fish jumping out the water. It was pretty neat. All of this was right from the shore in about 4 feet of water. And he found shark teeth in Venice.

We were also surrounded by all sorts of aquatic birds, some taller than he was, maybe heron? We’ve been all over the Caribbean and Europe, and it was honestly one of our favorite trips.

Wherever you go, try to snorkel near a pier or rocks, and the kids are sure to see some interesting sea life.

Also check out Deerfield Beach FL, they have an underwater cam that shows the neatest sea life, including turtles, shrimp, crab, eel.

[Anonymous]

Am I the only one the finds boat snorkeling easier with kids than beach snorkeling? They take you right to a nice calm place, you have snorkel vests and noodles to float along with, the water is deep enough you’re not scratching your knees. With beach snorkeling you need to worry about seaweed, breakers, rocks, and there no helpful boat person there to help out if you want.
A lot of the snorkel boats also have slides, rope swings, snacks, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one the finds boat snorkeling easier with kids than beach snorkeling? They take you right to a nice calm place, you have snorkel vests and noodles to float along with, the water is deep enough you’re not scratching your knees. With beach snorkeling you need to worry about seaweed, breakers, rocks, and there no helpful boat person there to help out if you want.
A lot of the snorkel boats also have slides, rope swings, snacks, etc.

We've also had great experiences with boat snorkeling.